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miss_philomena) wrote2008-10-04 02:41 am
Fabric and Plotting
While I don't claim to be a great knitter (I can't do *rather, haven't tried* more complicated stuff), one of my absolute favorite things are the beaded knit purses you occasionally see. I have a couple, bought at an antique fashion etc auction that I can't remember the dates for, done with gorgeous steel beads. Steel beads are no longer manufactured, or if they are, I haven't been able to find them, so I have to compromise and use glass beads. Fire Mountain Gems actually carries steel colored glass beads, which look damn near prefect, but I haven't gotten around to ordering more from them yet. Anyway, enough babble. This is one of three purses I'm working on at the moment. As seen here, this is one side of the purse. It's knit double the length, then folded in half and sewn up the sides. I'm already halfway up the other side since taking this picture, I just haven't rephotographed. I should finish it sometime this weekend, then I'll need to cut a fabric lining and sew it on to the purse frame.
Yes, those are seed beads, and the top is about 2.5" wide and the bottom is about 7" on a curve. My mom likes to tell me I'm a masochist for doing such tiny work.
And on to the sewing.
I had some fun on Ebay the other day and ended up picking up three saris. One of them will probably wind up being made into an 1880s bustle dress. I have a book with a plate I like, I just can't find it at the moment. If (and this is a very big if) I can make it work, the other might wind up a late Regency style. It really just depends on if it's long enough on the crossgrain to use for the skirt.
It will be one of these two, and I think I'm leaning more toward the green one for the Victorian dress.
The third sari I bought, which is an absolutely gorgeous blue brocade, will be put aside for some future use.This one is actually 7 yards long, unlike the other two, which are only 5, so I'll have extra playing room.
the body and one of the long borders
the pulla, or end
On my 1872 Watteau outfit: I've done a bit more of the pattern, but I still haven't gotten around to the back and side back pieces. Perhaps Sunday or Monday, since I have the house to myself for a week, and the cats certainly won't care if I move the kitchen table. Anyway, I snapped a pic of the fabric I'm planning on using. I think I want to match the plum color for the skirt and trim, rather than the dusty rose. I think it'll look better, but that might change when I'm out fabric shopping. Since the print is just a basic cotton, I'll probably go for a cotton sateen for the solid.
Next up: 1874 evening gown (on the left): Nothing really to say, as I don't have the lace yet for the skirt, and haven't done more than cut out the bodice. Here's the beautiful light blue/white shot silk I'm using for it, though. I think I'm going to look for a satin ribbon to match it for the swags and bows. Don't know what I'm going to do about the fringe yet. I might just go with lace.
And into the the 18th century: I've loved the 1775-85 Caraco in Patterns of Fashion since the first time I saw it. And I've had this silk/cotton brocade sitting around waiting to be used for years, so it really seems like a match made in heaven. I'm not sure what color petticoat to use with it, but I can decide that later. I think if I have enough fabric left over when I'm done (which I should, I have about 4.5 yards), I might get a matching pair of shoes made by Fugawee. I'm tempted to get the heel done in pink leather, but we'll see.
The close up is much more accurate, color-wise.
And I think that's enough babble from me today. And on a completely random note, I need more icons.
ETA: I've also got a Regency getup mostly done for one of my BJDs, so once I get around to sewing the closures and whatnot on, I'll put up pictures of that as well.
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Love all your fabric choices and of course can't wait to see them come alive. Since I can't sew right now, I live through all of my sewing friends.
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